Teaching your child to ride a bike is one of the most rewarding experiences you can share as a parent. It’s a rite of passage that builds confidence, encourages physical activity, and opens the door to a lifetime of adventures.
We taught our daughter in lockdown 2020. She had just turned 4 and we were able to take advantage of the quiet streets and car parks to teach her with ease. It’s a little more challenging in normal times.
With pavement parked cars, busy streets and traffic it’s a real challenge to give your child the wings of cycling unaided to set them free.
Finding the right place to start can make all the difference and since we have started to teach Barney we’ve realised these things need to be carefully thought through!
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best spots in West Yorkshire to help your child take those first wobbly pedals free from traffic and the pressures of other road users. We’ve tested many local spots to find the best places for beginners and the list we have below are just some of our favourites. You’ll understand the types of places we are looking at and maybe be able to find similar ones closer to your home. Most of these are within a 20-minute radius of our home and are regular, familiar places to get started.
The key? Flat, even paths and plenty of space to practice. Here are our top recommendations, along with tips to make it into an entire day of fun versus a grind for you and your child.
Anglers Country Park
Why It’s Perfect for Beginners:
Anglers Country Park is a family gem, offering wide, flat pathways around a beautiful lake. The even surfaces are perfect for little ones learning to balance and pedal without the distraction of steep inclines or rough terrain.
Family-Friendly Activities:
After a successful cycling session, why not explore the Room on the Broom Adventure Trail? Inspired by Julia Donaldson’s beloved story, this trail adds a magical touch to your visit. There’s also an on-site cafe and a decent play area for the kids. Read our full guide below.
Pugneys Country Park
Why It’s Perfect for Beginners:
Pugneys is a spacious park with a flat, 1.6-mile circular path around the lake. The mostly smooth surface is ideal for children just starting, offering plenty of room for stops and starts.
Family-Friendly Activities:
Pugneys isn’t just for cycling! After riding, you can enjoy the large playground or if it’s a weekend enjoy the volunteer-run miniature railway which is a nice addition to the park. The cafe has plenty of food options and there’s always an ice cream van or two!
Pro Tip: Early mornings or late afternoons are quieter, giving beginners a more relaxed environment to practice.
Walton Colliery Nature Park
Why It’s Perfect for Beginners:
Walton Colliery is a bit of a hidden gem but works well as a place to teach your kids how to ride their bikes. It’s always quiet, it has free parking and several paths going in all different directions.
This peaceful nature reserve is a hidden treasure for cycling families. Its network of flat, well-maintained trails provides a safe and quiet environment for kids to practice. The park’s smaller paths allow for short, manageable rides that won’t overwhelm young learners.
Family-Friendly Activities:
While your child takes a break from cycling, enjoy the park’s wildlife. It’s a haven for birdwatchers, with frequent sightings of herons, kestrels, and kingfishers. There’s no cafe or any other facilities however Walton Village is a short distance away from the popular Whisk cafe.
Nostell Priory (National Trust)
Why It’s Perfect for Beginners:
Nostell Priory offers a variety of smooth paths within a picturesque estate, making it a versatile option for riders of all levels. The route from the car park is quite good for beginners as well as the path down to the lake (although it is a bit of a slope). Nostell Priory also have cycle paths for varying ability levels which can be used for more confident riders.
Family-Friendly Activities:
Nostell is much more than a cycling destination. Families can explore the stunning gardens, enjoy the woodland play area, or indulge in delicious treats at the café. As with everything the National Trust own/operates it’s very well looked after. We live within 10 minutes of Nostell Priory so tend to go quite often with the kids’ bikes. Brilliant for balance bikes too.
Pro Tip: Visit during off-peak hours to make the most of the quieter paths.
Springhead Park, Rothwell
Why It’s Perfect for Beginners:
Springhead Park features smooth pathways that are suitable for beginner riders. The paths are shared so I would say they are most suitable for those cycling slowly who are just starting to ride vs experienced riders.
The open spaces mean plenty of room to practice turns, stops and starts without fear of collisions.
Family-Friendly Activities:
There’s plenty more to do in the park also including the playground, welcoming cafe, tennis courts and much more. It’s a great park for a day out and also has a free car park which makes it even more welcoming. Pro Tip: Bring a ball or frisbee to enjoy the open green spaces after cycling.
Yeadon Tarn
Why It’s Perfect for Beginners:
Yeadon Tarn offers a simple, flat loop around the water, ideal for children who are just starting to ride. The circuit is short enough for beginners but long enough to feel like an adventure. There’s also a pump track just off from the car park which both our children really enjoyed. Once your child has mastered the pedals it’s a good place to transition to are the terrain is more varied.
Family-Friendly Activities:
After cycling, take time to watch the boats or enjoy the playground. For families with a love of aviation, Yeadon Tarn is close to Leeds Bradford Airport, where you can watch planes take off and land—always a hit with kids.
Tips for Teaching Your Child to Ride a Bike
- Start with Balance: If your child isn’t confident yet, remove the pedals to turn the bike into a balance bike. This helps them focus on stability.
- Pick the Right Time: Choose a quiet time of day to avoid crowds and distractions.
- Bring Snacks and Water: Cycling can be tiring for little legs, so breaks are essential.
- Stay Positive: Celebrate small victories, whether it’s balancing for a few seconds or pedalling a short distance.
For more information, we’ve written a complete guide to teaching your child how to ride a bike.
Why it matters?
In a society where children are spending less time outdoors, it’s more important than ever to incorporate walking and cycling into your weekly fun as a family.
Teaching your child to ride a bike is about more than just learning a skill—it’s an opportunity to connect as a family and enjoy the great outdoors. Incorporating physical activities like cycling into your routine sets a fantastic example for your children and helps build their resilience and confidence.
Cycling will then make your day-to-day life far more enjoyable. Cycling your kids to school, finding off-road trails for weekend fun or just getting to local clubs. Not only this but it instils a passion in your children and is an enabler for later in life.
Share Your Recommendations!
Do you know of other great places in West Yorkshire to teach a child to ride a bike? We’d love to hear from you! Share your suggestions in the comments below and add to our suggestions. These are merely some of our recommended places but I am sure there are plenty more places across West Yorkshire for us to utilise.
Please do share your suggestions in the comments.
Last Updated on January 28, 2025 by Ryan
Hello. I am Ryan and along with my wife Beth and our two children Matilda and Barney, we love all things cycling and exploring. We spend our weekends exploring fun places to cycle and discover and wanted to help other people do the same too. There’s no better way to travel than via bike and it’s an amazing activity for the whole family to enjoy.